How to Find The Right Unlocked GSM Cell Phone for Your Network's Service

Do you want to buy an unlocked GSM cell phone but are not sure if it will be compatible with your cell phone carrier's service? This article is a quick guide on how to make sure you choose the right GSM mobile phone for your service.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
    
   GSM coverage map example

   Find out the GSM frequency band that your carrier uses in your zip code. You can do this by calling and asking your cell phone service carrier (ex: T-mobile, Rogers, AT&T) or you can check on the coverage map at http://www.gsmworld.com/roaming/gsminfo/index.shtml . Make sure to choose your country, then your carrier's name, and then click on the coverage map.

2. You will find that your service carrier uses either the 850 MHZ, 900 MHZ, 1800 MHZ, or 1900 MHZ frequency. Now make sure the phone you choose will be compatible with the GSM frequency that your carrier uses in your zip code.

3. A triband phone (i.e. works on 3 networks) will work on only the 900 MHZ, 1800 MHZ, and 1900 MHZ GSM frequency bands. A quadband phone (i.e. works on 4 networks) will work on the 850 MHZ, 900 MHZ, 1800 MHZ, and 1900 MHZ GSM frequency bands.

4. Before purchasing your new unlocked GSM cell phone, make sure that you know if it is a triband phone or a quadband phone, so that you can be sure it will work on your carrier's GSM network.

5. 
    
   Inserting sim card into the phone

   Once you have your new phone, you can insert you Sim card into the phone and start making your calls.

Tips & Warnings

• This article is only discussing the basic GSM freqencies and not the newer updated frequencies such as the 2100 MHZ, 2G, and 3G networks.
• It is recommended for AT&T (Cingular) customers to purchase Quadband unlocked GSM cell phones since AT&T uses the 1900 MHZ frequency band in some places and the 850 MHZ frequency band in other places. If you were to purchase a triband phone, then it will not work in areas where AT&T uses the 850 MHZ GSM frequency band.

Resources

• Unlocked Cell Phones
• GSM Coverage Maps and Roaming Information
• GSM Network

[MIghtyDreamer]

on 11/18/2008 interesting information

[StreetBloggers]

on 11/15/2008 A tip that comes in a time of need. I was just bidding on ebay for a new GSM phone thanks